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Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
The Cliff Swallow has a blue crown and back, white forehead, buff rump, and short, squared-off tail. The Cliff Swallow also has two white streaks down its back. Males and females have identical plumage.
Spotted gathering mud at Spencer Island near Everett, Washington. Spencer Island is an estuary island in the Snohomish river. They gather mud for their nest. Their nest where under a pedestrian bridge which I couldn't see. Cliff Swallows arrive in Washington from early April on and remain common in the state until early August. They can be found throughout the state in a variety of habitats, mostly in the lowlands.
An interesting behavior of Cliff Swallows is while gathering mud the females hold there wings up (pics 3 and 6). This behavior is to prevent being attacked by males seeking extra pair copulations (EPC). It’s an extraordinary behavior that is practiced by several species of birds.
Spotted on Jun 17, 2018
Submitted on Jun 22, 2018
4 Comments
Thanks for asking Dr.NamgyaIT.Sherpa. I was not in a blind but I was standing on a pedestrian bridge that had a rail. The birds were not paying any attention to me as they were busy gathering there mud. They were approximately 40 ft (12 meters) away on the bank. Shot by hand (no tripod) with a Nikon D3400. Set on the shutter speed setting (S) at max. 1/4000 sec.
Are you in a hide? What shutter speed? Thanks.
Thank you Machi.
Great spot!